Possible trans fat ban could affect Macon restaurant | Restaurants

Title (Max 100 Characters)

At Francar's Buffalo Wings in Macon, they have everything from cakes to wings and fries.

Owner Carl Fambro said a lot of that contains trans-fat.

"Even if we look at the labels and try to pick the ones that say zero trans fat. It's still got trans-fat in it. So it's hard to miss it, ignore it, or avoid it," said Fambro.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration defines trans fat as "a specific type of fat that is formed when liquid oils are turned into solid fats, such as shortening or stick margarine." It's also called partially hydrogenated oil.

If a food item contains less than a half gram of trans- at, a company can put zero grams of trans fat on the label.

On Thursday the FDA made a preliminary determination that it's no longer "generally recognized as safe."

"They tend to clog the arteries and that kind of stuff. So they're great on preserving foods, but kind of ruff on preserving us," said Mike Cantrell, president of the Cantrell Center. If there's a reduction in trans fat, 7,000 deaths from heart disease can be prevented according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"As a consumer I think it's a great idea, to get rid of trans-fat. It will mean a lot healthier meals for people. As a business owner the food will not taste as good, it will not last as long, so I'm sure the processing cost is going to go up. And that costs gets passed on to the consumer," said Fambro.

Fambro isn't sure of that cost increase just yet.

The FDA opened up a 60 day public- comment period that will determine the future of trans fat.